There is no issue that should be addressed as a matter of urgent national importance than that of skills acquisition by the youth considering the failure of our basic education system to yield the expected jobs. This has resulted in attendant social ills such as armed robbery, militancy, kidnapping, 419 and a host of others. A skill is seen as ability to do something well, usually gained through training or experience. Skill acquisition on the other hand involves the development of a new skill, practice or a way of doing things usually gained through training or experience. The types of skills that can be acquired by the youth include: a. Vocational carpentry, hair dressing, fashion designing, tailoring etc; b. Mechanic, electrical, repairs of GSM handset, Wrist watches, air- conditioner etc; c. Entrepreneurial (small scale business such as operation of kiosk, buying and selling of spare parts, restaurants etc). The important synergy between Skills Acquisition, Entrepreneurship and Self-Reliance: if Third World countries especially Nigeria must be economically self-reliant, she must necessarily diversify her economy and as well encourage the youth to embrace self-employment through appropriate favourable policy environment that would facilitate skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and self-reliance. The importance of skills acquisition cannot be over-emphasized because its roles to national development are multi-dimensional but of particular mention are the following: i. Elimination of hunger and poverty ii. Reduction or elimination of joblessness iii. Reduction of crime through effective engagement of youths (Diigbo: 1989). Skills development has been man’s means of material transformation from the earliest of time. But for development to take place, according to Diigbo (1989), it takes trained hands and minds to apply the knowledge and techniques effectively. For example, in the medieval times, apprenticeship becomes a normal method of entry to a craft guild. The industrial revolution brought with it the factory system with far-reaching historical effects and increasing application of science and technology to goods manufacture and services with more emphasizes on industrial skills. These shifts demanded a wide spectrum of technical and professional personnel, craftsmen, technicians, engineers, production specialists, managers and so on. Third world countries particularly Nigeria emphasized (in the 3rd and 4th National Development Plans) the development of smallscale enterprises which will lead to self-employment over and above medium and large scale enterprises. This is because of the small capital requirement of the small-scale or micro-enterprises which is within the reach of the youths. It is pertinent to state that because of the contending forces particularly the down-turn of the economy, it is aptly different for governments or even parents to be depended upon in the on-going socio-economic scenario. Hence, the youths are called to rise and depend on their skills and knowledge (Achegbulu; 2004) In order to boost the skills of the Nigerian youths, the federal government established in 1987, National Directorate of Employment which has the following youth-friendly and inclined programmes. i. Vocational Skills Development (i.e Fashion designing, furniture, carpentry, GSM repairs/maintenance, automechanic, foundry, metal works, iron bending etc); ii. Special public works programme; iii. Rural Employment Promotions and iv. Small Scale enterprises programme. Others include the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) entrepreneurial Programmes, National Poverty Alleviation Programme, Industrial Training Fund to mention but few. The programmes are aimed at the acquisition of marketable and applied skills as well as basic scientific knowledge. The need for diversification of the national economy from over dependence on oil as the main source of foreign exchange earning calls for positive and concrete steps in the area of industrial development particularly the encouragement and promotion of micro enterprises. The following are some of the basic principles or philosophies of good or down-to-earth entrepreneurship programme. Entrepreneurs must: Accept to learn and pursue goods goals in life and that their economic power comes from their own action (rather than that of others); Be positive or optimistic on business endeavor; View their success as a function of their willingness to accept responsibility for own work; Accept risks as a necessary condition for achieving success in life; Accept failure as a learning experience but pursue goals with commitment, and determination; Pursue goals related to skills and abilities and accept herself as they are and emphasize strengths but play down on weaknesses; Accept change as they emerge but push-ahead with dogged determination and perseverance, and Accept the fact that every person is a unique individual and that no two persons are alike. This is because all people have different past experiences and life goals which are determined by commitments to spouse, family, friends, development association and employees to mention but a few. The following suggestions will go along way in revitalizing skills acquisition relevance to the development of youths in developing countries and Nigeria in particular. The diversification of the economy with more emphasizes on non-oil products; Proper and adequate funding of youths programmes and agencies at all levels of governance in Nigeria; The restructuring of the educational curriculum at all levels of education in Nigeria with more emphasis and focus on vocational, technical and entrepreneurial skills; The political will to enthrone transparency, accountability, probity, responsiveness and good governance at all levels of governance in Nigeria. The involvement and participation of the youths in the formulation and implementation of youth programmes; The raising of the youth’s national consciousness and patriotism to the national development objectives; Individual legislators should establish youth acquisition centers in their constituencies and should assist the graduates of these centers with the wherewithal to acquire the necessary tools; The National Assembly should appropriate more funds for youth skills acquisition institutions such as NDE; A Youth Trade Fair Programme (YTFP) should be organized for the youth to showcase their talents. This will encourage the youth to imbibe the culture of skill acquisition.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 04:51:40 +0000
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